A four-star Euro NCAP rating places Accord close to the top of the large family sector for its age. Driver, passenger and side airbags are standard on the saloon and hatchback, but the Type-R and Coupe lack side bags. Deadlocks and a rolling code immobiliser mean that drive-away thieves are unlikely to succeed.

The only real area where the hatchback and saloon differ. We’d go for the hatchback, if we had the choice. The saloon looks more purposeful, but the hatch has a more useable load area. Like the hatch, the adequate luggage space is hindered by the suspension turrets that make loading bulky or awkwardly-shaped objects difficult – you’ve also got to contend with the bootlid, too.

A few clever cubbies inside.